I am considering replacing the brake pads and on my 02' Maxima by my self. I figure this is one of the few jobs that most do-it-yourselfers can actually handle.
What is the difference between the aftermarket brakes from Napa, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc versus the OE brakes from Nissan? What does Semi-Metalic, Metalic, Ceramic and Organic mean? Is there a brake pad manufacture to avoid?
Robin
Organic pads are cheap, grabby, heat fade, are not what the car was designed to use and ussually end up noisy.
I'm a big fan of metalic pads, they have low dust, almost never squeal, resistant to fade but -can- be rough on the rotors. Most rotors end up warped before metalic pads wear them out so I see this as a moot point.
The car probably came with semi-metalics and installed carefully and made with the right compound are a good compromise between rotor wear and fade/noise. The OE pads aren't going to be cheap but will be what was designed to work on that car.
On the aftermarket pads, if you avoid the lowest priced ones, you'll probably be fine. There is no reason to buy the carbon/ceramic $100 pads.
Semi-Metalic,
Actually the Maxima was factory equipped with ceramics because the semi-mets tend to squeak and as stated the organics are crap.
Nissan is one of the few brands where I recommend the OE (non-keyvalue) pads to be used in almost all cases.
Just 10 yrs of parts experience talking.
I have the OEM key-value (read: not so nice) pads and they work fine. Based on what I've read since then I would have bought the full-OEM replacement or a high-quality ceramic aftermarket pad.
Dave
For brake pads and clutch, Nissan OEM is just fine. As with what others have said, I just would avoid "key-value."
However, if you go OEM, don't forget about a brake shim kit if your car is a little older. Once these start rusting out, the are paper brittle and you will get squeel. Also, CRC "brake disc quiet" to the backs of the pads never hurt no one.
CW
I wonder if some good metalic pads wouldn't work OK? BTW how much are the OEM ceramic pads?
From what I've seen the Nissan's tend to squeak with any inexpensive pad, and even alot of the "better" ones. I put some from a company called autopart international on my front, No major squeak problem so far (3-4 months) Got no clue on the OE pricing.
OEM pads have cost me 60-75$ at the Nissan dealer.
Thanx..
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